How can I survive a miserable and unfulfilling job?

Oh, hello there Blast Hardcheese ca. 2004! Right down to the English degrees and the disheartening daycare job and the parent offering help I was reluctant to accept. -I took the help -I quit the job -I went to a temp agency (or, uh, three) and agreed to take literally any placement at first -Eventually I started taking some necessary risks in my job hunt and one finally paid off. It wasn't a piece of cake and because I was living at home, inertia was reaaaaallly strong (though it sounds like your relationship with your parents is more fraught than mine). I have never again in my life watched so much terrible TV or eaten so much awful food. But ultimately I think it was worthwhile: from that first lucky break I have built a 10 year career that has been very satisfying. Since your folks are offering, take them up on it. But first, make a solid plan down to the nitty gritty details--a daily schedule, even--and stick to it.

Get out of this job as fast as you can. Yeesh. There is no shame in accepting help from your parents (especially if they offer! It's not like you've been begging) and deferring student loans. Until something in your field turns up, can you get a job at a restaurant? Retail? Tutoring? It seems like a patchwork of other incomes would be far preferable to this right now, and even if you're living on tips and parents' help, it sounds like your overall quality of life will improve big-time.

if I decide to quit my job and look for something better You don't need to quit your job in order to look for something better. Set yourself a goal of two hours a week of job searching, resume updating, interviewing, etc. If you are drinking now, would the boredom from being out of work result in you drinking even more?

Deferring your loans is not the end of the world. I did it when I was unemployed and it was worth it because now I have a job that pays me well and I frankly don't even notice that I pay my loans. I also borrowed a little money from family that I paid back. They could afford the loan and I made sure to pay it back within a certain amount of time, and it was fine. If you're like me, you worry about being financially responsible and taking care of yourself and thinking long-term and whatever else, but this job sounds totally useless. If you're working in a miserable job in a field you have no desire to stay in just to pay off your loans, then the answer is simple: Defer the loans and leave the job. You are getting nothing out of this job at all. If you're taking better care of yourself, you will be much better at looking for new jobs. That's not even getting into the fact that this job is literally driving you to drink. What I would say is this: If you go ahead and quit the job (because it sure sounds like you aren't cut out to be working with kids), quit whilst making a promise to yourself: If you quit the job, you are going to devote x% of your time to finding a new job, you are going to drink only x number of times/drinks per week, and you are going to adhere to a bed time of xpm. The last thing you want is to quit this job and then continue all the self-destructive behavior and slide even further. Quit the job and vow to find your footing and get back on track.

I think you have to leave! That sounds awful! You have my sympathies and hugs. Can you possibly swing applying to jobs while still working at your own? I didn't see you mention that as an option, only quitting and then looking. You sound like you would be a great employee who would be a wonderful boon to the right workplace. Do you still live near your school? Do they have career services resources? I would imagine they can still help you. Even a temp job sounds better than what you're going through now. That sounds soul-draining, and after awhile you start to internalize that it's you, when really it's the environment/them. But if it's really dragging you down and you can't take any more of it, you have [the internet's] blessing to quit and search full-time. Have you checked out the Chronicles of Higher Education at all? There are over 2000 administrative jobs currently listed https://chroniclevitae.com/jobs/position_types/88.

Reading the previous answers I have to agree that you need to get out of any soul-sucking job- these things have lasting effects. But if you just can't just now, you have to dissociate yourself from the job. This job is not fulfilling certain needs, like friendship and positive feedback. You need a life outside work; one that will bring in a little balance and affirmation, and give some perspective. Join a club, get a hobby, whatever. Listen to podcasts or books on tape if you can have ear buds at work, to occupy your mind and blot out negativity. The work environment is rarely ideal, but when it's all you have going then it becomes overwhelming. Granted that your job situation irritates you, another mental trick might be useful: Your preconceived idea of what you will experience at work will color your response to whatever happens. So you have to concentrate on the positive experiences you can have, and minimize the negative. Poopy diapers and soiled clothes seem to be part of the gig for you. But if you just decide they are just one necessary but small part of your day, then they don't have to control your head space. It works for fathers and mothers, and it can work for you. Here's one way to get this started: Every day, or maybe several times a day, try to think of several positive things about your experience that day. Small things- like I remembered to sharpen my pencils yesterday, and so today I'm all set. Or today is applejuice day, and all the kids like applejuice. Or Bobby looks especially cute in that shirt he's wearing. It helps to be looking for these things- it changes your frame of reference. Get used to looking for some small thing for the next time you have to write something down. And things will get better. Not only in this job, but your next one, wherever that may be. People want to be around positive people.

I second seesom, I came here to recommend teaching abroad. You don't have to teach toddlers either -- you can teach children, teens, and even adults.

I agree with witchen. You do have another option at the moment that isn't so detrimental to your well-being: graciously accept your parents' offer, quit your job, and find something temporary that will allow you to stay on your feet while you find something else. This job sounds like it is ruining you both mentally and physically, and it is not worth it.

That job sounds terrible, I'm sorry. Do whatever you can to keep applying for other jobs. Although it may be tough since you have been in childcare and want to switch industries with limited or no experience. How is the economy in your area? Are there generally opportunities for the type of work you are seeking? Do you know people in those careers? I would think about asking people you know if they would be willing to recommend you or pass along your resume. Start building your profile on Linkedin for the job you want, not the job you have. Also, this is kind of out-there advice, but if you try your best and hustle and are still unable to find anything, consider something like the Peace Corps, Teach for America, or teaching English abroad. In addition to having an amazing experience it shows employers that you are motivated, have professional experience beyond child care and that you can perform in challenging and unfamiliar situations. Although you may want to be careful due to your heath issues and only take on as much risk and unfamiliarity as you can handle. Good luck!